A1GP race-winner Oliver Jarvis will be back in action in the British car next weekend when the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport™ makes its first ever visit to Zhuhai in China on 14-16 December 2007.
After a promising start to proceedings, A1 Team Great Britain had a tough weekend last time out at Sepang, Malaysia. Two excellent qualifying spots proved the team’s front-running pace, but an unfortunate run of bad luck prevented these from being reflected in the results.
In an eventful Feature Race, Jarvis was first run into by an over-ambitious Michael Ammermuller of A1 Team Germany, then he lost more time in the second pit stop with a sticking wheel nut, a drive-through penalty followed for speeding in the pit lane, and to cap it all off, A1 Team GBR was given a two-second penalty after the race for a pit lane infringement.
The troublesome weekend meant that the British entry did not finish on the podium at an A1GP round for the first time since Sydney, Australia last February. However the team is confident that they will come back in force at Zhuhai to prove that they are still championship contenders, and having won the season-opener at Zandvoort, Netherlands, 23-year-old Jarvis is eager to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
The 14-corner, 4.3km Zhuhai International Circuit will be a new test for all the national teams as the track is a new addition to the A1GP calendar this season. Also new to the series is A1 Team Great Britain’s rookie driver for China, Danny Watts. Although joining the British squad for the first time, Danny brings with him a wealth of race experience having been crowned Formula Renault UK Champion in 2002, and winning races in both British Formula 3 and the Porsche Carrera Cup.
Watts is not a completely new face to A1GP having attended many rounds in his role as A1 Team Indonesia driver coach. In China he will put his coaching duties to one side as he steps into the British car in the hope of getting the team off to a flying start in the rookie session on Friday morning.
Oliver Jarvis: "I’m really happy to be back in the British car again after a difficult weekend in Malaysia. We didn’t get the results we deserved at Sepang, but we were definitely quick, so we’re going to Zhuhai feeling confident.
I’m looking forward to driving a new track, which will be new to the majority of drivers, so it will be extremely important to make the most of the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, and will be interesting to see which teams learn the track the quickest."
Danny Watts: "It’s a privilege to be asked to drive for A1 Team GBR in Zhuhai. I will be contributing one hundred per cent to the team both in and out of the car throughout the weekend in order for us to have the best opportunity to achieve two strong results, and hopefully a couple of wins to boost us up the championship table.
I obviously want to be quickest in the rookie session, but I also intend to make sure the car is prepared with the best set-up possible in order for Olly to get in and win."
Katie Clements, Team Principal: "We’re delighted to welcome Danny [Watts] to the British squad – he is a committed driver and team-player, so his contribution in the rookie session and throughout the weekend will be invaluable, particularly given that Zhuhai will be a new circuit for many teams.
After our disappointing result in Malaysia two weeks ago, which didn’t do justice to Olly’s pace and ability throughout the weekend, we’re looking forward to getting back on the podium in Zhuhai where we belong."
Saturday’s qualifying starts at 1415 local time (0615 GMT) with Sunday’s 20 minute Sprint race starting at 1100 local time (0300 GMT) and the 70 minute Feature race starting at 1500 local time (0700 GMT).
Sky Sports 1 will broadcast all the live action from China from 0600 on Saturday 15 December and Sunday 16 December.
A1 Team Great Britain is partnered by AquaSP, Playseats and Visit Britain
www.a1teamgbr.com
- Victoria Henley - photo A1GP
